It is hoped that an Irish Government initiative could deliver as many as 200 coaching jobs to out of work GAA players. This initiative was brought in as hundreds of GAA player are being forced to emigrate due to unemployment.

Eamon O Cuiv, Minister for Social Protection met with GAA, FAI and other officials to take a look at the “Tus Initiative.” The initiative will attempt to return 15,000 people to work.

Apart from this initiative O Cuiv is trying to encourage the sporting bodies to hire unemployed players as coaches. They will be funded by the public’s purse.

GAA Director General Páraic Duffy said, “We are talking in terms of maybe 100, 200 people, probably players, unemployed players…They could be quickly upskilled in terms of coaching and the department will provide funding around that. We are going to look very closely at that.

"We do have a responsibility, but it’s not easy. I know people say to us that the GAA should be doing something but it’s not easy. It is something we will be looking at very early in the New Year to get off the ground as quick as possible."

The 2011 panels will be missing a sizeable chunk of players from last season due to economic reasons, either unemployment or emigration. The Louth footballers, for example, will be missing midfielder Brian White and key defenders John O’Brien and Mick Fanning next season after all three left for foreign shores.

A recent survey found that 12 to 15 percent of inter-county player were unemployed. This translates at roughly 230 people.